Group holds vigils to honor immigrants who died in Cochise County
Published on Thursday, October 11, 2007
DOUGLAS — Nobody knows who Juan Jose Ontiverosi was. But that doesn’t mean his life should be forgotten.
Each Tuesday evening, Healing Our Borders holds a vigil in Douglas to pray for families of immigrants who have died in Cochise County.
Tommy Bassett raises a cross containing the name of an illegal immigrant who died in the deserts of Cochise County. On Tuesdays, participants of the Healing Our Borders group hold a vigil along the Pan American Highway in Douglas. (Mark Levy-Herald/Review)
Participants walk along Pan American Highway and place scores of small white crosses on the edge of the sidewalk. They start at the intersection of Fifth Street and end near the Mexican border.
The wooden crosses bear the names of a person and the date of birth and death. Some of the crosses do not contain complete information.
“We do it to remember the people,” said Aaron Boeke. “Until people stop dying, this is what we do.”
The name of one individual is highlighted during the end of the vigil. If someone died that particular week, then that name is chosen. Otherwise, a person is selected randomly, he said.
“We pray for all travelers. And, we say that those who are hungry would have food and that people who have food would hunger for justice. Lastly, we always say we return home to our friends and family and leave none of our brothers and sisters behind,” Boeke said.
The vigils are held on Tuesdays at 5:15 p.m. He said turnout varies. Anywhere from two to 50 people attend the events, but there are about 10 core people who attend regularly.
Raul Saavedra Cinta, deputy consul with the Mexican Consulate in Douglas, said the volunteers are dedicated.
“They feel very strongly about the social issues,” he said.
Boeke said the vigils have been held since 2001.
“For the most part, for over six years, there has always been someone here at the vigils every week,” he added.
According to Boeke, the group has crosses for nearly 190 immigrants who have died since 2000. Names and other information about the people who have died are supplied by the authorities.
For more information about Healing Our Borders, call 364-9257.
Herald/Review reporter Jonathon Shacat can be reached at 515-4693 or by e-mail at jonathon.shacat@bisbeereview.net.
1 Comment
December 5, 2007 at 11:06 pm
Well, I cant agree more.